Lesson 180: My House, The General Store

Remember my adventure into the world of milling and muffin making? Remember how it all began with a 50 pound bag of organic wheat berries split between two mamas looking for healthy, inexpensive options for their families?

Oh friends, that was just the beginning.

50 pounds of wheat berries, quickly became another 50 pounds of wheat berries ...

and 25 pounds of chick peas.

and 25 pounds of black beans.

and 25 pounds of kidney beans.

and 25 pounds of 7 grain cereal (fancy, shmancy oatmeal).

and 50 pounds of brown rice.

and cocoa powder.

and cocoa chips.

My house has literally become a general store, feed sacks and all. Welcome to the prairie! Do you need a new rake, 25 pounds of brown sugar or a dress with puffed sleeves? (Anne of Green Gables anyone?)

The chick peas arrived first, and with those dried, camel-colored beans came much trepidation.

What does one do with one chick pea, let alone hundreds?

It is no exaggeration when I say, at the beginning, Mark and I did not have a single chick pea recipe between the two of us.

But we've learned, oh have learned.

And our friends have learned with us, as we served homemade hummus at Mark's ordination party, a Sunday School Christmas Party, a Seminary Friends' Christmas Party, and a Sister-in-Law's Girls' Christmas Party.

Just before "the Ashbaugh's" became synonymous with "hummus" we quit making it cold turkey. We've had enough for a while!

Mark also attempted falafel one Friday night, and we ate leftovers for lunch the next day, dinner Saturday night, lunch atfter church, and dinner before Sunday night church. We also served it on Christmas Eve!

If you were not aware, chick peas multiply.

Ok, so. The chick peas have seen some action, as has the brown rice and oatmeal mixture. But the black beans? The cocoa power? The kidney beans? Collecting dust.

They're destined for the clearance section, if you know what I mean. 

Friends, I need your help. I do not want this precious inventory, I mean food, to go to waste.

Hear my cry, "Recipes. Recipes. Please!" (Preferrably easy (and healthy ones).)

If you opened your pantry door and stumbled upon, say, 12.5 pounds of black beans, kidney beans, chick peas, and brown rice, what would you make?!?!?! Oh, I just can't wait for your ideas!

And listen, if you wake up sometime craving beans, our door is always open (for business.)


Lesson Learned: Do not be surprised if you receive the gift of dried beans in a mason jar tied with a ribbon for your birthday this year ... and on Christmas morning ... and as a housewarming gift ... and at your baby shower.